Skip to content
Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology

New Study Co-authored by Fowle Examines Causes of Death Amongst People Experiencing Homelessness

CSDE alumni Matthew Z. Fowle (University of Pennsylvania) co-authored a new article in Health Affairs, titled “Mortal Systemic Exclusion Yielded Steep Mortality-Rate Increases In People Experiencing Homelessness, 2011–20“. The number and percentage of people in the US dying while homeless has increased in recent years. However, information about the causes of death most prevalent among this population, and about how cause-specific mortality rates may be shifting over time, has been limited to locally specific data. Using a unique data set of 22,143 homeless decedents in twenty-two localities across ten states and Washington, D.C., from the period 2011–20, authors found large increases in all-cause and cause-specific homeless mortality rates. Read more about the study’s findings and implications in the full abstract.

*New* Working Groups

CSDE has a long tradition of sponsoring and supported working groups comprising faculty,  advanced graduate students, post-docs and/or staff from across campus.  These working groups provide opportunities for smaller groups of scholars to share their research in progress, garner thoughtful and detailed feedback on papers or grants, brainstorm new projects, and discuss the latest published research related to their working group. CSDE helps with logistics and funds as needed. Some groups last for years, and others for a short time while new collaborations and projects crystallize.

Do you have an idea for a new working group? If so, contact Steve Goodreau (goodreau@uw.edu) to discuss. And yes, it’s OK if the idea is only half-formed — that’s part of what we can help with!

McConnell Examines Post-wildfire Neighborhood Change Following the 2018 Camp Fire

CSDE Affiliate Kathryn McConnell (Brown University) co-authored a new article in Landscape and Urban Planning, titled “Post-wildfire neighborhood change: Evidence from the 2018 Camp Fire“. As the number of highly destructive wildfires grows, it is increasingly important to understand the long-term changes that occur to fire-affected places. Integrating approaches from social and biophysical science, authors document two forms of neighborhood change following the 2018 Camp Fire in the United States, examining the more than 17,000 residential structures within the burn footprint. 

*New* Registration Open for the CSSS 25th Anniversary Conference

CSSS will be hosting a 25th anniversary conference on May 16th and 17th! If you are thinking of attending some events, register today to secure your spot. You can select specific events on the registration form. Conference events are free but space is limited, and advance registration is required. The full program includes short courses, alumni panel, welcome reception and poster session on May 16th and a day-long scientific program on May 17th.

 

*New* Call for Proposals: University of Wisconsin Retirement and Disability Research Consortium (UW-RDRC) FY 2025 (Due 4/19/24)

The UW-RDRC is seeking research proposals for the Social Security Administration (SSA) for FY2025. This is an applied research program designed to assist policymakers, the public, and the media in understanding Social Security, retirement, and disability policy issues across the life course. If you are interested in submitting a project, please see the information sheet with details on the Letter of Intent, due by April 19, 2024.

If you have any questions about this process, please email Hallie Lienhardt (hallie.lienhardt@wisc.edu). If you  would like feedback on an initial idea, email Michael Collins (jmcollins@wisc.edu). Please note that SSA has new scoring factors for 2025, including an increased focus on community-based research and mixed-methods.